Public and Employers Liability

Employers are responsible for the health and safety of their employees while they are at work. If your employees are injured at work or they, or your former employees, become ill as a result of their work whilst in your employment you may be liable. The Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 legislates that you must have at least a minimum level of insurance cover for any such claims. You can be fined if you do not hold a current Employers’ Liability insurance policy which complies with the law.

Public liability insurance is different. It covers you for claims made against you by members of the public or other businesses. Public liability insurance is generally voluntary but if members of the public or customers visit your business premises or home, or you go to theirs, you should consider public liability insurance.

Public liability insurance covers any award of damages due to personal injury or damage to property caused by you or employees of your business. It also covers any related legal fees, costs and expenses together with hospital treatment and ambulance costs that the NHS may claim from you.

Premiums for public and employer liability insurance are based on the type of business and estimated activity of the business. For most businesses this will be the turnover and the number of employees, although other factors may be used. There may be conditions, exclusions and warranties applied to these policies. It is important, therefore, that you discuss this with an insurance adviser such as us to ensure that it meets your needs.

Are you an employer based in Ulverston, Furness, The South Lakes or Cumbria? Call us on 01229 585818 for a no obligation chat.